The Bottineau pioneer. (Bottineau, N.D.) 1885-1895, 1887-07-14
The Madison's Butler.
BIZ EDITH EVELYN BIGELow.

It was Mrs. Madison's opinion that
the servant question would be the death
Of her. The question, with her
meant, generally, how long will the
newly acquainted domestic remain on
the field of his or her present useful
ness-or uselessnessP
Mrs. Madison was rich in this worlds
goods. She had an indulgent husband,
charming children, a more than COM
Portable income, and enough beauty to
make her very pleasant to look upon.
But all these gifts of a kind Providence
were as nothing weighed in the balance
{ against the crushing fact that every one
Of the Madison buffers was worse than
his predecessors. The poor lady had
tried every nationality, as she said, ex-
scept the Chinese; there she drew the
line, The lrishmen need no descrip-
ton. We in America have all suffered.
The colored men were wofully lacking
in .'style." The Swedes were merce-
nary and would leave in hope of high
er wages. The Germans were too
something's forget what" Mrs.
Madison would say, in recounting her
woes to an intimate friend, land the
. Frenchmen too, sometimes Or other
else; and really, my dear, if you notice
several gray hairs under my bonnet I
am not surprised. But what car I
dop George will give dinners, and will
not have a woman wait at table"
7 At the time when this veracious his
tory opens, the latest venture in the
pantry-line had proved to be a COM
plete failure, and was to depart on the
morrow.
Mrs. Madison sat in her charming
sitting-room, over a wood fire, with
the hot-water kettle Kissing genially
among its companion ~tea-thlngs.
which had been brought in for the last
time by the present incumbent
Opposite to her was her sister. Sylvia
Arden. She had just came in from
walking, and her long sealskin gar
ment was thrown open as she sat toast
ing her cold feet and drawing off her
gloves
She was one of the prettiest girls in
New York,-wh!ch means that she was
very lovely indeed.
shall you have that dinner on the
18th. Maud?" asked the young lady.
She rose as she spoke, and Invested
herself of her furs, and as she did so
4 one saw what a 1.-the and shapely fig
ure she had.
1T all depends upon the butler,"
said her sister. George will get some
body to-day,-goodness knows what"
San Irishman,. probably" said Syl-
via. "All our French dressmakers are
Irish. Our city is ruled by the Irish;
our policemen are Irish; why not our
butlersp"
Il should think you were Irish your
self, dear, from what you say said
Mrs. Madison, laughing. 'Ab, there's
Georges key in the door. Now we
shall see what news he brings"
In a moment or two the master of
the house entered.
4 He took the cup of tea which his wife
had poured out. Then, seating HIM
z self, he said, 'Well, I have got him."
:Whop' asked his wife, mischiev-
ously.
Patrick O'MulliganP"
mo. John Parkins, an English
man."
4 .'Was there eve an Englishman who
wasn't named Johnp" said Sylvia
s'Good references, of course" said
Mrs. Madison, with grim cas-
They always have" =. ~
mo" said her husband, cheerfully.
..None at ALL"
Mrs. Madison was quite quiet.
'You are tired of the silver, then p''
'.Not at all; but he won't take the
silver. If there is anything dishonest
about John Parkens, then l am wofully
mistaken"
You generally are,'' said his wife,
dryly.
.Thanktyou, madam. No, he may
ke a little green, but he is n OF the
est looking men l ever saw
lido you remember British ADO
MS p' asked Sylvia, -" when he hand
ed round the lobster in a kitchen jug,
and then put himself into the dumb
water instead Of the empty dishes. I"
"Am T likely to forget it p
Then why" said Mrs. Madison,
\ with sudden asperity. 'sdo you subject
n us to d similar experience ? How can
You bring a man without reference in
ID to my house ?"
.On the same principle said Mr..
Madison, setting down his cup with
perfect imperturbabilty, ''that you once
said you would advertise for an athe-
list, having tried every religion in the
housemaid line and failed lamentably
with all the sects represented. / am
sired of the men who have lived with
all the English ar~istocracy. Now, Par
kins assures me that he hasn't lived
with any Of them. He has the face OF
an honest, steady man and he tells
= me. thatshe is willing to learn
ss Mrs. Madison gave a mock groan,"
THAT g that / am willing to
LEACH said she.
And are we TO have the Bellingers
B the 15thp asked Sylvia.
by all means, said her brother-in-
u law. And SO the conversation ended.
The next day, it being the LIST Of the
month. promptly at the honrsagreed
I upon, John Parkins presented himself
rs the lady Of the house, with q modest
deferential bearing which was quite
! delightful. He was a Swapping fellow
about thirty, dressed in worn but we'll
tcut garments. His features were rather
handsome, and his smooth-shaven
kESpper lip showed at times a glimpse 81
Sery good teeth.
knsIIt IS not our custom to engage any
without a reference.' said Mrs.
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